Stockholm's Got Talent..?...

Another one bites the dust!

Quote of the week goes to Elder Kiikko from Finland, “Elder Haddon and Hansen you did great.... Elder Judd, you were stiff as a board.” (In a monotone voice)

So we were able to do a dance for the stake talent show........ and that's pretty much it.

This week has been great! Slowly remembering the Subway lines, and trying to not get hit by any trains. Things are looking good! We have been able to find some new people to teach, and new less actives that we are starting to work with which is super exciting.

One of which is a member referral. He had investigated the church before, and come to church several times. But he still never believed in the church. He told us when we first got a pizza with him and started to get to know him. That he has been taught by over 10 missionaries and he knows everything there is to know about the church... but wanted to see if you could teach me something new.

I thought about it a lot what we should teach him about. I know that he has heard almost everything. So I said a prayer in my heart, that I would be able to know what he needs to go further in the Gospel. I thought to tell him, as simply as I could, my conversion story. I told him it all comes down to The Book of Mormon. If it is true, then everything else falls into place. I asked him boldly, “Have you read it?”

He tried to avoid the question and finally said, “No. I haven't.”

We were able to help him understand that, that is the key. To read and pray. It's simple. Defiantly not the easiest at times but it is simple.

It was a testimony to me that the Lord, will put the things in our mouths that we need to say if we are worth of it. I had no idea what he needed to hear, but the Lord did. I am not that intelligent, those of you who know me, know that is a true statement. But through weak things (Like me) the Lord is able to do mighty miracles. He is now progressing and reading and strengthening his testimony in the Lord. (When his friend didn't think it was even possible.)

It is little things like that which makes everyday worth it. Being able to testify to the world what you know in your heart is true. I am so thankful that I am a missionary of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that he is the one leading this work. That he cares and knows of each and everyone of us. We just need to trust in him and everything will be alright.

I love you all and hope to be able to hear from you next week.

Love,

Elder Haddon



Stockholm Here We Come

Hey everybody!

 

So this week has been CRAZY!!!! We had transfers on Thursday and I had to say goodbye to all of the people I love and start all over.

But the quote of the week will be given to a man named Elder Zaugg. It is Elder Allsop’s new companion and we were making the switch of companions and this is what he said. “Eh, Elevators are actually a lot stronger then the warning sign directs. We can have at LEAST 6 people.” Well what do you know? The max weight was 4 people and we got stuck in an elevator for about 45 minutes. The funny thing is that is not the first time I have been stuck in an elevator with that kid. (See picture.)

This week was hard to say goodbye to all of the people I have been able to serve with, and learn to love so dearly. But we ended out companionship with a bang.

On the 20^th of March, Victoria and Johnny, (Family of 9,) follow the Lord’s example and were baptized. It was the coolest experience I have ever had. Elder Allsop and I we’re able to baptize each of them. (I actually got to help Allsop out with Johnny, because there wasn’t enough water and Johnny is a big guy.) It was just the perfect way to end our companionship to one of my dearest of friends.

Now let me tell you a little about the Stockholm experience so far:

1. First street contact in Stockhom,

Me: “Hey excuse us…..”

Man: “HAHA no #%& way!”

(Welcome back Haddon.)

2.  Our current baptismal date…. Got deported.

3. We taught an entire lesson in….. Spanish. (Thank goodness for “Google Translate” on our iPhones.)

4. Got hit on my some gay guy.

 

Even though it’s been an interesting start, I am actually super glad to be back. It feels good getting back on subways and meeting people from all over the world. I know this work is true, that there are people like Victoria and Johnny, EVERYWHERE. They seek for the truth but not knowing where to find it. I love the people of Sweden, (Africa, Middle East, South America, Asia and everyone else I have met here.) I love you all too and hope you all have a fantastic week!

 

Love,

Elder Haddon

Transfers!

Öj Då!

It is the dreaded time, the one every missionary thinks, dreams, talks and even prays about.... Yes I am talking about TRANSFERS. DUN DUN DUN! I sadly will be leaving the wonderful place of Uppsala. That is is where this quote of the week comes into play. “President Newell here, can you put me on speakerphone? I am calling to confirm transfers, Elder Haddon you will now be transferring to Gubbängen and being a zone leader not in the Stockholm North Zone, but now in the Stockholm Zone. Love you both... (Click.)” So I will now be going to Gubbängen. Which is the only are in Stockholm I haven't served in yet.... So check that one off the list.

I'm really happy about it though, because I’ve been blessed to be apart of Stake's effort in missionary work. (The Mother Stake.) I have been working closely with the Stake leaders, been able to build up a relationship with them, and help the work go forward in the entire stake. So I will be able to do that still.

So yesterday I was my last Sunday in Uppsala, I've been here for almost 6 months and I feel like I am apart of their family. It was a really hard experience but in the same, it was amazing. I was pulled out by several members who just told me thanks for the work that we have done, and sense we have been here in the last 4 months things have changed dramatically. Uppsala will not be the same crazy hymn book throwing ward it was before.

There has been quite a bit of good that we have been able to be apart of in Uppsala, But in the same “I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea,I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak;therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.”

What many mighty miracles have happened in the land of Uppsala, because of the Lord. I am so happy I could have been here and be a tool in His hands. We will be ending our time together, with baptisms of Victoria and Johnny, and there 7 sons will continue being taught and hopefully be baptized by their father Johnny soon.

I love you all and hope to hear from you all soon!

Love,

Elder Haddon

 

Pictures:

1.Pride Hill

2. Allsop is a Cat Lover!

3. Had to fix the car, so we considered getting a new one.

4-6. Friends and trainers going home

7. yes..... We got iPhones.

8-9. Kids being kids

10. Got some fresh new pow... it's pretty sick

 

 

In Memory

This episode of Uppsala Chronicles will be started off by “thee quote of the week,” from my dear friend Elder Faylor.

“Dude, it smells like some dang good perfume.... And it is coming from this door.” He said with a big smirk on his face. He then proceeds to knock on the door, where then a man the age of 90 opens the door and clearly let us know that he was NOT interested. I had the privilege to travel out to Örebro where I was able to work with one of my best friends Elder Faylor. Where we just went 110% and got some amazing things done there! Can't wait until we are finally companions.

(Faylor... It's going to happen.)

 

This week has been quiet the interesting one as you all know, about our dear and beloved friend, Elder Mason Bailey passed away last Sunday. So we did all that we could do for him, go out and work.

 

We went to his Memorial in Västerås yesterday which was wonderful. We got to see Elder Barnes, his companion, for the first time. He is the man, he had a really rough time through it all but has made a crucial decision to work as hard as he can in Elder Bailey's honor. 

 

Before the Memorial he was able to confirm the woman that Elder Bailey baptized the week before. He was so nervous before it all asking Elder Allsop and I how to say it correctly in Swedish. Lets just say he did it PERFECTLY. (With over 200 people there.) We had over 90 missionaries there who all knew him or had served with him. We all were able to sing a the song, "Blott en dag," in his memory. Everyone after it was in tears. The spirit was so strong in the room, we all knew he was still with us. 

This week has been quiet the difficult one, but just trusting in the Lord and working as hard as we can has made it go so much easier. Please keep the Bailey family in your thoughts and prayers. I love you all and hope you all have a fantastic week!

Love,

 

Elder Haddon

 

One of Our Own Has Fallen

Elder Haddon's words absolutely cannot be paraphrased this morning:

 

"This week has been quiet the interesting week. We learned early this morning that our fellow missionary and friend Elder Mason Bailey was hit by a car last night, and didn't survive the night. He served in Västerås and was a district leader in our zone. Two weeks ago, I had the privilege and pleasure to go on exchanges with him.

"One thing that I have noticed with many missionaries that they are often afraid to speak. It's already hard to open you mouth and talk to people about religion, now throw in a new language, and now its nearly impossible. It was something I struggled with but was blessed to overcome, and it's one thing that I have tried to train and help missionaries get over. But I will tell you one thing, Elder Mason Bailey was not afraid to open his mouth. No matter what, even if his Swedish wasn't perfect, he had no fear.

"The last time I was with him he shared concern in not baptizing. I just remember telling him that he is going to very soon and all of the let downs and hardships will be worth it. On Friday, we were again privileged to go down to Västerås and do a baptismal interview for a woman they had found and taught. On Sunday morning, she was baptized.

"He called us so happy that it went through and he said that it went perfectly. He said, “That's one more on the Lords team!” And that was the last we heard from him.

"Every Sunday night, we do a little conference call to get the zone together, and everyone can have a good time. We called Västerås to get them in, but no one answered. Then we got a call from the Assistants to the President. They said, “There has been an accident, Elder Bailey is in the hospital and keep him in your prayers, and don't let anyone know until we know of his condition. Love you guys, bye. Click.” I just felt this terrible feeling in my gut, and we tried to brush it off that he would be fine.

"That's where we received a text this morning saying, “One of our own has fallen. It is with the deepest of sadness we announce that Elder Mason Lewis Bailey was killed Sunday evening in a tragic pedestrian/auto accident in Västerås.” There was instantly silence in our apartment. “One of our own has fallen.”

"We instantly came together and knelt down and had a prayer for him and his family. Directly after the prayer, I had a spiritual confirmation that he is just fine. He was one of the most fearless missionaries I have ever been in contact with and the Lord, is taking him in with his arms wide open.

I know with all certainty that this work is true, the message that the missionaries have is to help people know that the Savior suffered and died for all of us so that we can live on. Elder Bailey died for this truth.

"I love you all and for all of you members out there getting this, you know exactly what he gave his life for and you know it was worth it. And for you that aren't members or active, talk to the missionaries and find out for yourself."

Love,

Elder Haddon

 

What a solemn, sacred reminder about what these young men and their families sacrifice to be able to serve the Lord. Our thoughts, minds, and prayers are earnestly turned toward the Bailey family at this time and would love your support in praying for them as well. We know that our Heavenly Father has a divine plan and mission for each of us, although we might not always understand His timing, we can find comfort in knowing He is leading and guiding us.

 

Thank you for your love and support that you provide for our family and more importantly for Elder Haddon, there is no doubt in our minds, nor in his, that he is doing what he is supposed to at this time. Your love and support means the world to us.

Thank you for your prayers.

 

Elder Bailey is in the middle of this picture and back left on the couch photo.

 

 



Blast From the Past

My kid load has doubled so my blog posting time has been cut by 75% :) so here's a quoted email! It was pretty good so I figured I'd pass it on!

 

Hallå Hallå,

This week's quote comes from Elder Bailey, I was over in Västerås, doing some training over there and this is just one of the many gems that he said, “All I know is I hate hair, I think I am going to get lasik all over entire my body.”

Eh, I'll just let him figure that one out.

 

But this week was actually super good, and not all that much to say. We had the assistance to the President here on Wednesday, where I was able to go with my old companion Elder "Elder". Honestly I had a rough time with him back in Kungsbacka. He was having a hard time in his mission, was super tired. I was just a gun-hoe greenie who just wanted to go baptize the nation. So we smacked heads a little bit.

 

But it was really amazing to see the change in him now. All he wanted to do was get out and work, which I was a huge change from before. He had grown so much from when I was with him. It was just extremely cool to see him make a complete turn around, and so see the missionary, and man he has become.

 

Before he left he told me, “Haddon you kicked my butt into shape, you were an excellent missionary that got me back on my feet and ready to end my mission strong. The missionary you were then, is not even a comparison to the missionary you are now. Thank you for serving.”

 

All the hard times and struggles I had with him, were just then worth it. One thing that I have learned is that God gives us everything in our lives for our experience. To strengthen us and to be the men and women that he NEEDS us to be. So when the hard times come, and they will, just remember what the Lord has said, “Thine Adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. And if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high, and you shall triumph over all of thy foes.”

Keep on, keepin on folks ;)

Love you all, (Sorry it's short)

Äldste Haddon

Pictures:

Cool ól life preserver 

Flags

Free hair cut for a recent convert in Västerås. (Yes. my hair is gone.)

Oldest University in all of Northern Europe.

 

 

FIRE!!

Here is this weeks' email... it was pretty much the only way it could be said....

 

Hello!!!!

Today's quote is brought to you by our good friend Victoria, “FIRE!!!! The house is going down!!!”

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. We had stopped quiet a gnarly house fire on Saturday. We were able to go over to the family who have 7 boys. The day before they taught one of the younger boys that they should no play with fire. It will burn you hair, skin and all of your toys. Well they little boy just like any curious boy wanted to see if it was true. So he went into there computer room and just set aflame there curtains. That is where we then heard Victoria scream, “Fire!”

We then ran in and batted out the fire. I broke some mission rules and picked up the kids and took them out of there. But all in all, it turned out alright, the house didn't burn down at least!

After she said, “Alright now we can start fresh.” which honestly is pretty impossible after your adrenaline is on full blast.

But we actually had a wonderful week, The same family have agreed to be baptized now we are just helping them through it! So it's very exciting. I just hope that I don't get moved before then! I have been here in Uppsala for a while now! Longest area I have been in and also the Longest companionship. But I am defiantly not complaining. Allsop is one of my best buds.

This week we were able to going to Stockholm several times to prepare us for a Leadership Conference for the Stake. This year's plan is “Påskynda Frälsningsarbete” (Hasting the work of salvation.) So Elder Allsop and I with our great friend Nic Engström taught all of the leaders in the Stake how we can do missionary work together. As most of you know I don't like to speak in front of large groups. I don't know how many times I said no to my dad when he asked me to give a talk. I just don't like it.

Well on my mission I have defiantly had to overcome that. We had had to teach the entire stake about missionary work..... In a different language even. I feel after that experience, I could be a pretty dang good public speaker haha.

This week has just been amazing, we have found so many people to teach and just to serve people. I absolutely love to be a missionary, I know this is God's work. I am more happy here then I ever have been in my life. I want to thank you all for you emails and the love that you have shared. Can't wait to hear from you all next week as well.

Love,

Äldste Haddon

 

Also, as I mentioned about 6 months ago, Tanner and I began the foster care to adoption process and we have BIG NEWS! Check out our blog for info....

tannerandtaylor.blogspot.com